FC Barcelona are not enjoying their smoothest start to the LaLiga EA Sports 2025/26 season. The 1-1 draw away at Rayo Vallecano sparked mixed feelings and, above all, a strong message from head coach Hansi Flick: “Egos kill success.” The German’s words generated plenty of debate, but it was Lamine Yamal —the teenage star and 2025 Ballon d’Or nominee— who openly responded, challenging his manager’s interpretation of the result.

What Did Lamine Yamal Say About Flick’s Comments?

The 18-year-old winger, who scored Barça’s only goal at Vallecas, denied that egos were the reason behind the setback:

“After a draw you come out frustrated, at Barça you always have to win, but I don’t think it was about that. It was more that it just wasn’t our game. We haven’t started with the same intensity as last season and there was a lack of concentration at the end.”

By shifting the focus to intensity and focus rather than ego, Yamal subtly contradicted Flick’s public message, raising eyebrows about internal harmony at the club.

What Did the Draw Against Rayo Mean for Barcelona?

The 1-1 result prevented Barça from keeping pace at the top of the table. A broken VAR system and controversial refereeing only added to the frustration of dropping points in a match that seemed under control after Yamal’s penalty opener.

Defensive lapses in the second half allowed Fran Pérez to level the score, leaving Flick frustrated and warning his squad about standards slipping early in the season.

How Did Yamal Expand on the Team’s Situation?

The young forward insisted the squad remains hungry and that the issues were circumstantial rather than cultural:

“It wasn’t about egos. It’s true, we didn’t start the season with the necessary intensity and it has more to do with that. He’s right that we made too many mistakes, but that can happen. We just have to get back to our level quickly. I don’t think it’s about relaxation or lack of hunger because we’re a young team with a lot of ambition. The league is very long, and we have to be consistent.”